Having an extra place to store your belongings can be very beneficial, depending on your circumstances. Maybe your kids have moved to college, but left some things they’ll eventually need at home. You don’t want to be cluttering up the house, but you also know they’ll need those items in a few years. Maybe you’re downsizing and moving into a smaller home. You might not have the same space as before, but you’re still going to need a place to keep those large seasonal items like Christmas trees or camping gear.
Packing everything up for storage isn’t always the same as packing everything up for a move. Luckily, we’ve got some tips to help you through it.
- Use boxes that are stackable. That way, you can arrange them in any order you want but the boxes will still be easily accessible. Using old and smashed up boxes you’ve used in your previous moves isn’t the best way to go. The moving boxes might not be stable enough for stacking. You don’t want everything to come tumbling down, after all!
- Use lots of cushioning for breakable or fragile items. Glasses, dishes, and fine china should all be wrapped up with packing paper, preferably using a dish box specifically designed for that purpose. That way, there’s less chance of your fragile items getting broken or damaged when moving them around.
- Make sure your mattress is wrapped in a mattress cover or bag. Storage units sometimes see bugs and dust collecting on items, and you definitely don’t want that to happen on the place you sleep!
- Place smaller items into larger items. For example, items that would normally be stored in drawers or shelves, like toys or bedding, can be tucked away neatly, saving you some space and keeping them protected.
- When storing fridges or freezers, make sure you clean, clean, clean. If mold can normally appear inside your fridge within one week, can you imagine what would happen if left for a year? You can keep air circulating throughout by leaving the door open a crack.
- Stack furniture on top of each other when possible. For example, kitchen and dining room chairs are very stackable. You can also take apart the legs from tables and lean the top against a wall, or lie it flat. That will give you a lot more room.
- When taking apart items with screws and bolts, be sure to tape all parts to the main base. Put them in a plastic bag and tape the bag to the furniture.
If you follow these simple guidelines, you’ll find that packing and unpacking your storage unit will go a lot more smoothly!
